16 November 2005, by Tom Kundert

Portugal end successful year with tame draw

Northern Ireland 1-1 Portugal

Portugal ended a highly satisfying year with a colourless performance against Northern Ireland that ended in a 1-1 draw in Belfast yesterday.

Scolari’s men definitively do not enjoy playing in this part of the world. Portugal’s only defeat in 2005 came in a friendly match against Ireland played in Dublin in February.

A good crowd turned out at Windsor Park as the Northern Irish football federation celebrated its 125th anniversary.

However, the home players were in far from festive mood as a series of heavy challenges succeeded in knocking Portugal out of their rhythm for most of the match.

Nevertheless Portugal dominated the first half and their overwhelming control of possession was rewarded five minutes before the break when Petit released Ronaldo on the left flank with a clever free-kick and the Manchester United winger’s cross was turned into his own net by Craigan.

Pauleta had the ball in the net on the stroke of half time only for the goal to be erroneously ruled out for offside.

Northern Ireland had the upper hand in the second half and deserved their equaliser through a fine header from Fenney.

Scolari will not be unduly concerned by the below-par performance, especially as he started without five regulars and gave other fringe players a run-out in a largely experimental exercise.

The whole of the country is now keenly anticipating the World Cup draw on 9 December to see which nations await Portugal in Germany.


Northern Ireland:
Taylor, McLean, Capaldi, Murdoch, Craigan, Brunt, Steve Davis (McAuley, 45), Gillespie (Sproule, 86), Elliot, Fenney (Shields, 86), Quinn (Thompson, 76)
Yellow Cards: Quinn (29), Gillespie (39), Capaldi (63)

Portugal:
Paulo Santos, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Fernando Meira, Jorge Ribeiro, Costinha, Tiago (Frechaut, 76), Petit (João Alves, 66), Cristiano Ronaldo (Postiga, 68), Pauleta (Nuno Gomes, 45), Boa Morte (Caneira, 62)

Goals:
[0-1] Craigan, 40 (own goal)
[1-1] Fenney, 53